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post"},{"term":"Beauty"},{"term":"Home Projects"},{"term":"America and Patriotism"},{"term":"2nd Baby"},{"term":"Blogland Home Tour"},{"term":"Homemaking"},{"term":"Monthly Reads"},{"term":"Music"},{"term":"Stuff I Like"},{"term":"5th Baby"},{"term":"Digital Minimalism"},{"term":"Health and Fitness"},{"term":"Cloth Diapering"},{"term":"How I Handle It Series"},{"term":"Men"},{"term":"Movies"},{"term":"Newsletter"},{"term":"Pro-life"},{"term":"Random"},{"term":"1st Baby"},{"term":"All The Things Guest Post Series"},{"term":"Creating A Home"},{"term":"Gift Ideas"},{"term":"Link-Up"},{"term":"Memorizing Scripture"},{"term":"Musings of a Bookworm"},{"term":"Politics"},{"term":"Prayer"},{"term":"Reformation Day"},{"term":"TV"},{"term":"Teaching Kids About Jesus"},{"term":"With Grit And Grace"},{"term":"4th Baby"},{"term":"Christian Book Vlog"},{"term":"Christian Mom Vlog"},{"term":"Five Minute Friday"},{"term":"From A Homeschool 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Style"},{"term":"Adoption"},{"term":"Blog Challenge"},{"term":"Blog Design Freebies"},{"term":"Chat Video"},{"term":"Christian Booktube"},{"term":"Coffee Chat"},{"term":"Creative Contentment"},{"term":"DIY Homeschool Conference"},{"term":"Four Somethings"},{"term":"From My Notebook Series"},{"term":"Grade School"},{"term":"Great Deals"},{"term":"Heaven"},{"term":"In My Songbook"},{"term":"Jesus"},{"term":"Letters To My Children"},{"term":"Links And Loves"},{"term":"Literary Inspiration"},{"term":"Morning Time Printables"},{"term":"My Creative Side"},{"term":"Neighbors"},{"term":"News"},{"term":"Picture Books"},{"term":"Rooted Article"},{"term":"Shopping"},{"term":"Snippets"},{"term":"Vignettes"},{"term":"how"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Through Clouded Glass"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":""},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7707747118752962942\/posts\/default\/-\/Newsletter?alt=json-in-script\u0026max-results=4"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/search\/label\/Newsletter"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7707747118752962942\/posts\/default\/-\/Newsletter\/-\/Newsletter?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=5\u0026max-results=4"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Callie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04177545285954715021"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"30","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dnQFjk7bQfo\/Vm0BRoMDQEI\/AAAAAAAARyk\/FpB7e1FouEM\/s91\/October-2015-077%2Bcopy.jpg"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"6"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"4"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707747118752962942.post-318958016163780683"},"published":{"$t":"2021-12-30T05:39:00.006-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-12-30T05:39:00.201-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Fun Stuff"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Holidays"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Newsletter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Update"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Our 2021 Family Newsletter"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1000\" data-original-width=\"1000\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEgCUz21tK988py56X23VocS_YdRlQl6gNJYyiPZxYK_Zn5XXI9nERCv0gUvIrGJtWOOwwM_Si6yLRwre6SncOnTiMOYzym9IZ2DnN3LrZGH--7Nd8OX5eEro8pXieh2_Zg-5haoFxqPGvkXbHmXhUC5FHE2tf-fSKZtWpoALTXHd-Q3DYFdpmot-0RA=w640-h640\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E I love reading other people\u0026#39;s family newsletters around Christmas time, and unfortunately not many people send them anymore.  I guess I\u0026#39;m bucking the trend away from newsletters, because I decided to send one with our Christmas card for the first time this year.  I thought I would share our family newsletter on here as well!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"JsGRdQ\" style=\"font-weight: 700;\"\u003EAs I type this letter I am sitting with my laptop at corner table, listening to a veteran two tables down telling startling stories from his time in service, and it’s setting into sharp relief our blessings of peace and a relatively quiet year. Our days have been filled with family movie nights and homeschool lessons, craft projects and soccer games, mountain hikes and afternoon snacks. We’ve enjoyed birthday parties, park days, field trips, visits with family, sleepovers at Grandma’s, and game nights with friends.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"JsGRdQ white-space-prewrap\" style=\"font-weight: 700;\"\u003E  \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"JsGRdQ\" style=\"font-weight: 700;\"\u003EI am thankful for these full and happy days, and for this delightful season with our kids.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/2021\/12\/our-2021-family-newsletter.html#more\"\u003ERead more »\u003C\/a\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/feeds\/318958016163780683\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7707747118752962942\u0026postID=318958016163780683\u0026isPopup=true","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7707747118752962942\/posts\/default\/318958016163780683"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7707747118752962942\/posts\/default\/318958016163780683"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/2021\/12\/our-2021-family-newsletter.html","title":"Our 2021 Family Newsletter"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Callie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04177545285954715021"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"30","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dnQFjk7bQfo\/Vm0BRoMDQEI\/AAAAAAAARyk\/FpB7e1FouEM\/s91\/October-2015-077%2Bcopy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/a\/AVvXsEgCUz21tK988py56X23VocS_YdRlQl6gNJYyiPZxYK_Zn5XXI9nERCv0gUvIrGJtWOOwwM_Si6yLRwre6SncOnTiMOYzym9IZ2DnN3LrZGH--7Nd8OX5eEro8pXieh2_Zg-5haoFxqPGvkXbHmXhUC5FHE2tf-fSKZtWpoALTXHd-Q3DYFdpmot-0RA=s72-w640-h640-c","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707747118752962942.post-3973985991277977704"},"published":{"$t":"2019-12-19T08:39:00.006-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-07-05T20:05:13.641-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Family"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Newsletter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Update"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Christmas Newsletter I Would Have Sent"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wS2Rkbt1ydQ\/XfuWqEIa6mI\/AAAAAAAAYug\/RnRwPLhTiSgSYbJrksUi0y-sS6KnNObXACLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/December-2019-052%2B2blog.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EChristmas newsletters are very hard to get right.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEvery year around this time, I get a handful of Christmas newsletters tucked inside of Christmas cards. \u0026nbsp;I am excited each time I get one - it's fun to read a little bit about what my friends and family are up to, what they thought was worth noting about their year. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo the people I know who send a newsletter each year, I give major props, because I also recognize that newsletters are hard to write! \u0026nbsp;You have to come up with something to say about each family member, and keep it within a reasonable length, insert some personality to make it interesting to read, and do it all without crossing the line into \"braggy\" territory. \u0026nbsp;I think all the newsletters I've received this year were able to strike this balance well, but I've never really attempted a Christmas newsletter because I wasn't sure I could do a good job of it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHowever, I read \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/michellesncheese.blogspot.com\/2019\/12\/our-family-christmas-newsletter.html\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003Ea newsletter blog post on Michelle's blog\u003C\/a\u003E last week, and it was fun to read! \u0026nbsp;I thought she really nailed the art of the newsletter, and it made me want to try one. \u0026nbsp;So I wrote up a newsletter for our family over the weekend. \u0026nbsp;I don't hate how it turned out, but it's too late to send it in my cards, so I'm just going to share it here instead. \u0026nbsp;Pretend this is printed on Christmas-y paper and showing up in your mailbox!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003ENote: This is actually a little long for a Christmas newsletter, but in my defense, there are seven people in this family on which to write an update.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E---\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDear Friends and Family,\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI have never sent out a Christmas newsletter, but now that we are exiting the too-tired-to-floss, new-baby phase, which has encompassed the last 9 (!) years, I thought I’d give it a go.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EDon’t people usually say something like “this year has been one for the books” to start out a newsletter? I think every year could be considered one for the “books”, but in the general sense of the phrase, this has not been a “big” year. It’s been an ordinary, slow-growing year. But there is something wonderful about those restful, quiet years that I think is worth celebrating too.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFor Derek, much of 2019 has involved home improvement projects. We bought a new house late in 2018, and \u0026nbsp;I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I cried the first night we spent in our new house, telling Derek that it just didn’t feel like “us”. \u0026nbsp;He has gradually been making that statement untrue. \u0026nbsp;In the last year he has remodeled the kitchen and master bathroom, installed new flooring, changed out light fixtures, built a fireplace and (halfway) installed a wood stove, and started on the kids’ new play structure (still in the blueprint stage). \u0026nbsp;I was going to say that it feels like slow going, but thought better of it - seeing it all typed out makes that statement feel silly. \u0026nbsp;That is a lot of work! I’m grateful for all the hours and care Derek has put into making this place home.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWyatt, to my horror, is nearing 9 years old. I say “horror”, because I came to the realization this fall that once he reaches 9, we will be halfway through his childhood. \u003Ci\u003ELet that sit a minute. \u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;He is a delightful kid, a little shy around new people, but ask him what his favorite animal or bird is, and he can talk your ear off. He knows more about animals than me, is better at identifying birds than me, and remembers interesting facts we read much longer than I do. Needless to say, it’s pretty easy to homeschool him when we break out the science textbooks (maybe not as much when I bring out the writing book, his least favorite subject). \u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003EBike lights and an “adventure kit” (including binoculars, compass, and flashlight) are on his Christmas list.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EGwendolyn will be 7 years old \u003Ci\u003E“two days after Christmas, the same birthday as Daddy’s!”\u003C\/i\u003E, as she likes to tell anyone who will listen. \u0026nbsp;She is fun-loving and easy to like, and tends to make friends wherever she goes. She is reading, but is desperate to get further in her reading curriculum so she can learn to read chapter books. \u0026nbsp;While I have become less of a planner the older I get, Gwen picks up where I slack off. She recently wrote out a detailed plan for Christmas morning that made me chuckle and melt a little. \u003Ci\u003E\u0026nbsp;Nail polish and Barbies are on her Christmas list.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAren’t you supposed to include a paragraph about the family vacation in a Christmas newsletter? \u0026nbsp;Clyde’s paragraph might make more sense if I do. We went to Florida this year, mostly because it is the cheapest place to fly in August. \u003Ci\u003EHurricane season and all.\u003C\/i\u003E \u0026nbsp;We got home a mere week before the hurricane, crossed the Everglades off our National Park bucket list, and while we feel grateful that we can now say we took the kids to Disney World once in their childhood, our one day there taught us that we are not hardcore Disney people. Our favorite part of the trip was visiting NASA and seeing the Saturn V rocket and moon capsule, and it has launched (ha!) an interest in space for our whole family (except Derek, he was always a space guy).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EHaving said that, our 5.5 year old Clyde has latched on to space transportation as an interest. \u0026nbsp;When I ask him lately what he wants to learn about, the answer is always “\u003Ci\u003Erocket ships!\u003C\/i\u003E” \u0026nbsp;If I picked an adjective for Clyde, it would be “charming”. \u0026nbsp;The kid can get away with saying the “darndest” things, just because of the charming little way he says them. \u0026nbsp;When he gets one-on-one time with me he always has a lot to talk about, and I learn such interesting things about him (like the fact that he wants to have eight kids someday - he said it so seriously, I knew it was well thought-out). \u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003ERocket ship Legos and a model space shuttle are on his Christmas list.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EClarice turned 4 years old this fall, and while she has always had a big personality, especially for being so quiet, I’ve seen it developing more recently. She is my most imaginative child, declaring how fun it would be if the world were made of fudge, and excitedly informing me that the moon is following us home because “ \u003Ci\u003Ehe’s hungry!\u003C\/i\u003E” \u0026nbsp;Her blue eyes and dimpled smile would probably melt the iciest heart, but when I pull out my camera she frequently takes that as her cue to try out every expression in her arsenal. \u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003EA Little Mermaid princess doll and a Barbie are on her Christmas list.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOur littlest one, Georgiana, just turned 2 years old, and I’m not sure I’ve met a more easy-going toddler. Redirection is a breeze, and is often accompanied by an enthusiastic “\u003Ci\u003EOH-KAY!\u003C\/i\u003E” \u0026nbsp;Aside from the occasional flirtation with the “terrible twos” (which thankfully never lasts too long), she is very agreeable. She mainly just cries when she is thirsty or cold or within 20 feet of a moving vehicle (a healthy fear). \u0026nbsp;She is my most social child so far (that’s saying something, because Gwen was hard to beat). When we walk through a store or parking lot, she is usually holding my hand, and the other hand is waving at strangers as she shouts “\u003Ci\u003EHI!\u003C\/i\u003E” She is usually rewarded with a grin. \u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003EOn her Christmas list is whatever we decide to get her, and a new bunny-bear, which was her most prized possession before she lost it four months ago.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThis letter wouldn’t be complete without including our protector-dog, Harvey. \u0026nbsp;He is mainly a teddy bear, following me around the house and settling in for a nap wherever I happen to be. \u0026nbsp;But he can break out his scary bark when he feels it necessary, which is usually when the poor mailman is trying to drop off a package. \u0026nbsp;He had a tumor earlier this year which briefly made our hearts sink into our feet, until we thankfully found out it was benign. \u003Ci\u003EHe wants a rawhide bone for Christmas.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI (Callie) have been keeping busy homeschooling the kids, reading\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003Ea lot\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;of books, and figuring out how to keep this place clean (a never-ending, and possibly losing, battle). \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWhile I occasionally miss working as a dental hygienist, settling into these homeschooling years has been very fulfilling (and also very insecurity-inducing, but we won’t get into that). The greatest joy of homeschooling to me so far is the freedom to point my kids to Jesus throughout their education, and getting a front row seat as I watch them grow academically and in their knowledge and love for the Lord. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOh, and also I’ve been taking too many pictures. \u0026nbsp;I notice an occasional eye roll from a passerby when I whip out my camera, but most people get it. I’ve been told many, many times by the older generation that \u003Ci\u003E“it goes by so fast”\u003C\/i\u003E. I take so many pictures because I believe the white-haired ladies who stop me in the grocery store to wistfully remind me of that.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMerry Christmas, friends! \u0026nbsp;We pray that \u0026nbsp;you each know the peace with God that comes through trusting Jesus, Who was born to pay for our sins on the cross, that we may live. \u0026nbsp;He is our greatest gift.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAlso praying as we approach 2020 that it is a restful, quiet year “for the books” for you too. \u0026nbsp;That may be a tall order in an election year, but nothing is impossible with God! \u003Ci\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Joking, but also kind of not.)\u003C\/i\u003E Hoping for a peaceful New Year for you all!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJoyfully,\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOur Little Family\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.\" (1 John 5:20, ESV)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr class=\"Apple-interchange-newline\" \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/feeds\/3973985991277977704\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7707747118752962942\u0026postID=3973985991277977704\u0026isPopup=true","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7707747118752962942\/posts\/default\/3973985991277977704"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7707747118752962942\/posts\/default\/3973985991277977704"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/2019\/12\/the-christmas-newsletter-i-would-have.html","title":"The Christmas Newsletter I Would Have Sent"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Callie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04177545285954715021"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"30","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dnQFjk7bQfo\/Vm0BRoMDQEI\/AAAAAAAARyk\/FpB7e1FouEM\/s91\/October-2015-077%2Bcopy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wS2Rkbt1ydQ\/XfuWqEIa6mI\/AAAAAAAAYug\/RnRwPLhTiSgSYbJrksUi0y-sS6KnNObXACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/December-2019-052%2B2blog.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707747118752962942.post-382540485383303896"},"published":{"$t":"2015-09-14T05:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-07-18T16:41:04.757-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bible Study"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christian Living"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Motherhood"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Newsletter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"print"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Printables"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Why Moms Should Memorize Bible Verses"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jkl4Xa92dgY\/VedoRrAbCSI\/AAAAAAAARQU\/sPCbSTXVCXs\/s1600\/Bible-memory-verse-Printables.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Printable Bible Verse Cards | Why Moms Should Memorize Bible Verses | Need some encouragement to memorize more Bible verses?  This site has encouragement plus PRINTABLE BIBLE VERSE CARDS to get you started! \" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jkl4Xa92dgY\/VedoRrAbCSI\/AAAAAAAARQU\/sPCbSTXVCXs\/s1600\/Bible-memory-verse-Printables.png\" title=\"Printable Bible Verse Cards | Why Moms Should Memorize Bible Verses | Need some encouragement to memorize more Bible verses?  This site has encouragement plus PRINTABLE BIBLE VERSE CARDS to get you started! \"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EI remember the first time we pulled up to the church that looked like something out of a storybook.  Painted white with green trim, steeple with a bell, a merry-go-\u0026#39;round and swing set out back.  I stepped out of the car somewhat nervously, trailed behind my family on the way in the door, and sat next to my sister as I smoothed out my yellow floral Easter dress.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/2015\/09\/why-moms-should-memorize-bible-verses.html#more\"\u003ERead more »\u003C\/a\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/feeds\/382540485383303896\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7707747118752962942\u0026postID=382540485383303896\u0026isPopup=true","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7707747118752962942\/posts\/default\/382540485383303896"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7707747118752962942\/posts\/default\/382540485383303896"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/2015\/09\/why-moms-should-memorize-bible-verses.html","title":"Why Moms Should Memorize Bible Verses"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Callie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04177545285954715021"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"30","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dnQFjk7bQfo\/Vm0BRoMDQEI\/AAAAAAAARyk\/FpB7e1FouEM\/s91\/October-2015-077%2Bcopy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jkl4Xa92dgY\/VedoRrAbCSI\/AAAAAAAARQU\/sPCbSTXVCXs\/s72-c\/Bible-memory-verse-Printables.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707747118752962942.post-3170837290630353084"},"published":{"$t":"2015-06-30T05:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-01-19T17:05:43.723-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"America and Patriotism"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Newsletter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"print"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Printables"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes and Food"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Patriotic Fudge Recipe (+ Printable)"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EFourth of July is coming up this weekend!  And even during these times when I feel like the country is going in the wrong direction, it is still one of my favorite holidays.  Two hundred and thirty-nine years ago, some brilliant men constructed a form of government founded on biblical principles and the idea that all men had a right to be free from tyranny.  That is still worth celebrating.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELast weekend, I attempted to make some patriotic fudge.  I made it once a couple years ago, and it was pretty and yummy, so I wanted to attempt it again so I could share the recipe.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vYsN9HdhznU\/VZIAhN5p5tI\/AAAAAAAAQ2g\/Yj4nr7C4BmE\/s640\/patriotic-fudge-recipe-3.jpg\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/2015\/06\/patriotic-fudge-recipe-printable.html#more\"\u003ERead more »\u003C\/a\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/feeds\/3170837290630353084\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7707747118752962942\u0026postID=3170837290630353084\u0026isPopup=true","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7707747118752962942\/posts\/default\/3170837290630353084"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7707747118752962942\/posts\/default\/3170837290630353084"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.throughcloudedglass.com\/2015\/06\/patriotic-fudge-recipe-printable.html","title":"Patriotic Fudge Recipe (+ Printable)"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Callie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04177545285954715021"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"30","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dnQFjk7bQfo\/Vm0BRoMDQEI\/AAAAAAAARyk\/FpB7e1FouEM\/s91\/October-2015-077%2Bcopy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vYsN9HdhznU\/VZIAhN5p5tI\/AAAAAAAAQ2g\/Yj4nr7C4BmE\/s72-c\/patriotic-fudge-recipe-3.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}}]}});